Supporting Shared Reading for Babies and Toddlers

This workshop is for parents, caregivers, and families of babies and toddlers who want to feel confident reading together, understand the developmental benefits of shared reading, and choose quality picture books that spark curiosity.

You will learn:

• What your child can actually gain from shared reading – language, literacy, and beyond
• How to select picture books that match your child’s age, interests, and developmental stage
• Techniques for reading aloud in an engaging way, including voice modulation, pointing, and asking simple questions
• Strategies to make storytime playful and interactive, using repetition, sensory exploration, and fun activities
• Answers to common questions and challenges that arise during reading with little ones

This session is practical, interactive, and designed to help families build confidence in reading together, turning storytime into a joyful and enriching part of everyday life.

Presenter: WIlma Murdoch

Wilma is a passionate Early Childhood Teacher with over 30 years of experience working with children and families across diverse service types in Australia and overseas. After transitioning from working directly with children, she has led professional learning and development programs for educators, with a strong focus on supporting qualification pathways.

Since 2017, Wilma has taught pre-service teachers at the University of Sydney, sharing her expertise in curriculum design and implementation—particularly in early language, literacy, and mathematics—and inspiring a love for picture books in early learning. She is currently completing a PhD exploring place-based early literacy pedagogies in Broken Hill.